A round-up of other golf news in brief
Ballyliffin's impressive offer to neighbouring clubs
BALLYLIFFIN Golf Club have announced a special discounted green fee scheme for members of all Donegal clubs.
Full members of GUI and ILGU-affiliated Donegal clubs and which will also include City of Derry, Foyle and Strabane will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on summer green fee rates on both championship links at Ballyliffin.
These reduced green fee rates will be available on both weekdays and on weekends subject to advance booking and availability.
Tee times must be booked in advance and the only requirement from a player is that they produce a current GUI/ILGU membership card on the day of play.
This scheme will come into effect from April 1st and will represent a saving of up to € 45 per round for local golfers on peak season green fee rates at Ballyliffin.
It is hoped this scheme will make the facilities at Ballyliffin more accessible to local golfers.
Ballyliffin will circulate posters in the near future to make members of Donegal and Derry clubs aware of this enticing offer.
- The first outing of the 2009 Hilary Golf Society season that fell foul of the inclement weather on Sunday, February 8th, in Laytown and Bettystown GC has been rearranged for Sunday, March 1st, at the same venue.
The original timesheet stands and details can be viewed on www.hilary golf.ie.
Lisburn and Ashbourne to host finals
THE LGU is pleased to announce that Lisburn and Ashbourne will host the first Irish Peugeot LGU Coronation Foursomes Area Finals as the competition expands into Ireland for the first time in its history.
Lisburn Golf Club, a beautiful parkland course situated just outside Belfast, will host the first Irish area finall on Thursday, July 23rd, while Ashbourne, a Des-Smyth-designed parkland course will host the second Irish area final on Monday August 17th.
Both courses can now look forward to welcoming up to 100 qualifying pairs from clubs throughout Ireland with the winning pairs from each area final qualifying through to the grand final at St Andrews.
- Minna Kaarnalahtifrom Finland was a two-shot winner of the Spanish Seniors Championship at the Arcos Gardens Golf Club in Cadiz Spain last week.
Kaarnalahti, on 150 after rounds of 77 and 73, won from local competitor Marta Estany, who shot 80, 72 for 152, and Canada's Diane Williams, who shot 75 and 78 for 153. Best of the Irish was Marilyn Henderson, who plays out of the West Rhine Golf Club in Germany, on 155 after rounds of 78 and 77 with Valerie Hassettfrom Ennis 77 and 80 for 157 and Pamela Morgan, a member of La Cala Golf Club, who shot 86 and 80 for a total of 166.
Five selected to compete in Iberia
THE GUI have selected five players – Shane Lowry(Esker Hills), Paul Cutler(Portstewart), Luke Lennox(Moyola Park), Dara Lernihan(Castle) and Alan Dunbar(Rathmore) to compete in the Portuguese Amateur Open Championship at Troia Golf Club from February 19th-22nd and the Spanish Amateur Open Championship, to be played at Seville Golf Club from February 25th to March 1st.
Lowry and Cutler were both members of the Irish team that captured the European Amateur Team Championship in Italy last year and were also on the victorious Home International team last year.
Lennox, Lernihan and Dunbar were also members of the Home International team, while Lernihan finished runner-up in the Irish Amateur Close.
Dunbar and Lennox were also members of the Boys Home International winning team at Royal County Down last year.
Improvements evident at Arklow
ARKLOW golf course is subject to change at the moment, but it is change for the better. Having finished off a major project on their first, sixth, ninth, 11th and 17th greens in 2007, there are now about to see the completion of work on the eighth, 10th, 12th and 13th greens at the end of this month, with play on the new greens set for the opening weekend in May.
The whole project has been done under the design guidance of Eddie Connaughton. The extensive work on the greens is designed to improve the sustainability of their course and facilitate the ever-increasing demands on the course, especially during the winter when the playing conditions are regularly subject to the adverse weather.
The work has seen two par threes (the 11th and 13th) completely rebuilt. The current work, apart from the job on the relocation of the greens, will also see 25 new riveted bunkers being incorporated into the new green complexes. Four new tee complexes have been constructed along with five new tiger tees, bringing the course length to over 6,500 yards. All work has been completed on time and on budget (€500,000).
Meanwhile, Arklow are currently offering new membership for €1,500 with no joining fee.
Algarve places still available
THERE are a limited number of places available on the seventh annual Irish Seniors International Festival, which will be played over four of the finest golf courses in the Algarve, departing on 29th March and returning on 5th April.
The week-long trip which is organised by the Pestana Hotels Resorts and Tony Heverin, and run by the Golfing Union of Ireland, is open to both men and women. There are two team events and two singles events played over four different courses – Pinta, Gramacho, Silves and Morgado, while the group will reside in the five-star Pestana Alvor Praia Hotel. The annual festival also includes an opening cocktail reception and final night banquet and presentation of prizes.
Places are booked on a first come basis, and those interested should contact the travel agent, Tony Heverin. His details are: telephone: 01-8746443. email: tony.heverin@heverintravel.ie.
Rice to the fore at Fota Island
THE Fota Island Resort Munster professional and amateur Golf Alliance season is up and running. Their opening event took place recently with Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty emerging victorious, while Limerick’s Tim Rice won last Monday’s event by three shots after a gross score of 72. The Alliance season gives amateurs the chance to play at the Fota Island Resort alongside a host of Ireland’s most popular golfing professionals and all for a fee of just €50. The next outing is Monday next, February 23th, while the remaining dates are March 9th and March 23rd. Timesheet places by phone 021-4883700 or email reservations@fotaisland.ie
